Improving Public Health through Community Health Rankings and Roadmaps
As societies progress, so does the need for a healthier populace. Community health rankings and roadmaps offer valuable tools for public health practitioners, advocates, and policymakers to identify, prioritize and address key health issues in their communities.
What are Community Health Rankings and Roadmaps?
Community Health Rankings and Roadmaps (CHRR), developed by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI), are web-based programs designed to provide detailed assessments of the health status and factors that influence health in all the counties in the United States.
The program takes a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach in addressing the social determinants of health by capturing data on health behaviors, clinical care, physical environment, social and economic factors, and access to health services. This data helps to reveal the health challenges communities face and enables them to take appropriate action.
Impact of CHRR on Public Health
CHRR has revolutionized the way communities approach public health issues. Health departments and other stakeholders have used the rankings and roadmaps to drive action and create informed and sustained change in their communities. Here are some examples where CHRR has made a significant impact:
1. Identifying health disparities – By highlighting county-specific health disparities, CHRR allows community leaders to develop targeted interventions to improve health outcomes.
2. Fostering cross-sector collaboration – Collaboration between various sectors including healthcare, education, and business, can lead to coordinated efforts and optimal outcomes. CHRR supports the identification of partners across various sectors to improve community health.
3. Encouraging public health accountability – When public health leaders share their community’s health data with the public, it creates an opportunity for community engagement and accountability. It also supports the development of evidence-based public health policies and interventions.
Success Stories
1. The CATCH initiative in El Paso, Texas – The Children’s Health Assessment and Special Health Plan initiative used CHRR data to develop a comprehensive strategy that takes a multisectoral approach to improve the health and well-being of children in the area.
2. Community-based mental health intervention in Dane County, Wisconsin – Dane County used CHRR data to develop a community-based mental health intervention that decreased the incidence of mental health emergencies and hospitalizations.
3. Worksite wellness program in Jefferson County, Colorado – CHRR data helped Jefferson County create a worksite wellness program that improved the health behaviors of employees.
Conclusion
Community health rankings and roadmaps are effective tools that bring together diverse community stakeholders to advance health equity and improve health outcomes. By identifying specific health concerns and mobilizing collaborative action centered on shared data, CHRR creates a path to a healthier community for all.
